Radio Frequency Test Engineer

Bristol | Hybrid (3 days on site) | Permanent£60,000 DOE | SC Clearance Eligibility RequiredWe're partnering with a fast-growing, Bristol-based engineering business working at the sharp end of defence, national security, and critical national infrastructure. They design sensing and communication systems built to perform in demanding, real-world conditions, and they're scaling their RF test and evaluation capability to match.We're hiring an RF Test Engineer to help prove those systems out, from first hardware bring-up through to structured product validation.The role - RF Test EngineerThis is a hands-on lab role that sits between development and validation. You'll get real hardware in front of you, work out how it behaves, and build the test approaches that show whether it's meeting its performance requirements. Some of that is a quick measurement to answer a single question. Some of it is a full, repeatable test suite that has to stay reliable across product releases.A lot of the value is in the thinking before the testing: understanding what a system is trying to do, then working out the right way to prove it, often before requirements are fully locked down.What you'll be doingBuilding test approaches to validate RF performance across sensitivity, dynamic range, noise figure, and bandwidthRunning RF tests using spectrum analysers, VNAs, signal generators, and oscilloscopesAutomating tests and equipment control, typically in Python, to keep results repeatableSupporting bring-up and early-stage testing of new RF platforms and feeding findings back to designDiagnosing performance issues across analogue, mixed-signal, and digital domainsWorking with QA and product teams to develop structured, repeatable test proceduresMaintaining and improving lab setups and test infrastructureWhat we're looking forHands‑on experience testing, validating, or characterising RF systemsPractical use of RF lab equipment (spectrum analysers, VNAs, signal generators, oscilloscopes)Test automation and equipment control coding, typically in PythonSolid grasp of RF performance metrics: noise figure, gain, dynamic range, sensitivity, bandwidthA methodical, investigative approach to debuggingComfort working across hardware, software, RF, and product disciplinesNice to haveSDR or SDR-based platform testingLab automation via SCPI or instrument APIsHardware‑in‑the‑loop or automated regression setupsSignal chain and cascade analysisDefence, aerospace, or secure comms backgroundThe practicalitiesBristol HQ, hybrid, minimum 3 days on siteRight to work in the UK, 5 years UK residency, and eligibility for SC clearance (existing clearance not required)Permanent, competitive salary dependent on experience

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